!^T^ 


V^ 


Iffritm  ti\t  ICthrarg  of 

t\^t  ffitbrarg  of 
Prinrrton  Slj^ologtral  S^^mtnarQ 


BV  260  .W547  1898 
Wilson,  Annie  E. 
Family  altar:  helps  and 
suggestions  for  family 


/  o/ 


The  Family  altar. 


HELPS  AND  SUGGESTIONS 


FOR 


FAMILY  WORSHIP 


PREPARED  BY 

ANNIE  E.^  WILSON. 


•    •    • 


RICHMOND,    VA.  : 

PRESBYTERIAN    COMMITTEE    OF    PUBLICATION. 


Copyright 

BY 

JAMES  K.  HAZEN,   Secretary  of  Publication. 
1S9S. 


Printed  by 

Whittet  &  ShEI'PERSON, 

Richmond,  Va. 


The  Family  Altar. 


THE  family  relation  was  instituted  by 
God.  Adam  was  not  left  alone.  Eve 
was  created  to  be  his  companion  and  to  form 
with  him  a  family.  When  the  world  was  to 
be  destroyed  by  flood,  only  eight  persons 
being  saved,  those  eight  were  included  in 
the  family  of  the  pious  Noah.  And  inas- 
much as  each  of  the  three  sons  was  charged 
to  take  his  wife  into  the  ark  with  him,  pro- 
vision was  made  for  the  continuance  of  the 
race  in  families.  When  Abram  was  called 
to  leave  his  home  and  go  into  a  far  country 
and  to  establish  a  new  race  for  the  carrying 
out  of  God's  purposes,  he  carried  his  family 
with  him. 

In  each  of  these  instances  the  intention  of 
Jehovah  is  apparent,  the  establishment  or  re- 
establishment  of  the  worship  of  the  true  God 
in  the  family,  and,  by  means  of  the  famil}^ 
to  ensure  its   purity  and  propagation.     In 


4  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

Other  words,  God  instituted  the  family  rela- 
tion expressly  that  it  might  be  the  basis  of 
his  own  worship,  though  at  the  same  time 
he  has  so  constituted  the  human  race  that 
its  happiness,  purity,  and  safet}^  are  more 
wisely  provided  for  than  they  could  be  in 
any  other  way.  This  can  be  shown  by  a 
comparative  study  of  social  life  among  vari- 
ous peoples  and  at  different  periods  accord- 
ing to  the  scale  or  standard  of  the  family 
relation. 

If,  then,  the  family  was  thus  instituted  by 
God,  what  could  be  more  natural  or  obliga- 
tory than  that  a  family,  trained  or  being 
trained  in  the  fear  of  God,  should  find  its 
natural  expreSvSion  and  exercise  in  the  daily, 
united  worship  of  him  who  was  its  author, 
and  whose  providence  has  so  carefully 
guarded  it  in  all  the  ages  of  the  world? 

And  if  the  morning  and  evening  sacrifice 
were  needed  and  commanded  in  earlier  times, 
is  there  any  reason  why  we  should  offer  less? 

But  some  may  ask,  How  can  it  be  made 
practicable  in  these  times  ot  busy  life?  So 
many  inevitable  things  conflict  with  the 
duty.     Cooks  will  not  come  early,  children 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  5 

'}n2ist  be  at  school  in  time,  and  the  man  of 
the  house  must  get  to  his  business.  This  is 
all  true,  especially  in  the  rush  of  city  life. 
Nevertheless,  if  once  convinced  that  family 
worship  is  essential  to  the  best  and  highest 
good  of  the  family,  and  to  its  best  and  highest 
influence  on  the  world  outside,  surely  the 
Christian  head  of  a  family  will  find  the  time 
or  take  the  time,  rightly  considering  that  no 
other  duty  can  rival  it  in  importance. 

The  obligation  is  still  further  strengthened 
by  remembering  that  he  whose  we  are  and 
whom  we  serve  challenges  a  special  proprie- 
torship in  the  family  relation,  and  lays  just 
claim  to  the  acknowledgment  by  the  family 
of  his  sovereignty  and  goodness. 

At  the  same  time  God  is  no  hard  task- 
master. To  make  this  acknowledgment  in 
a  brief,  pointed,  appropriate  way,  suited  to 
the  needs  and  convenience  of  busy  people,  is 
not  an  insult  to  him,  provided  the  curtailing 
be  done  in  the  letter  and  not  in  the  spirit. 
Indeed,  we  all  know  how  often  the  real  wor- 
ship is  in  the  brief  exercise  rather  than  in 
the  protracted  one.  It  was  a  rery  short 
prayer,  only  a  single  sentence,  which  was  so 


6  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

highly  commended  by  our  Saviour.  And 
where  part  of  the  famil}-  circle  is  composed 
of  little  children,  brevity  and  .simplicity  are 
of  prime  necessity,  without  which  they  can 
have  no  share  in  the  worship  at  all.  By  all 
means,  then,  let  each  part  of  the  worship  be 
short,  simple,  appropriate.  But  let  it  not  be 
the  brevity  of  haste  nor  the  simplicity  of  in- 
difference, but  the  result  of  earnest,  prayerful, 
consecrated  desire  on  the  part  of  the  leader 
to  make  the  service  a  united  offering  of  sin- 
cere w^orship  on  the  part  of  all  who  share  in 
it.  Avoid  humdrum  monotony  and  cold 
formality.     Youth  demands  life,  variety. 

The  essential  features  of  family  worship 
are,  first — 

2?eabing  tl)e  Scriptures, 
This  may  be  by  the  head  of  the  family, 
father  or  widowed  mother  or  whoever  takes 
their  place,  or  by  some  member  of  the  family 
wdiom  he  ma}^  depute,  or  by  reading  in  turn 
or  responsively.  Let  the  selection  be  such 
as  all  can  understand  and  appreciate.  While 
the  children  are  quite  small  they  will  natur- 
ally^ be  most  readily  attentive  to  the  stories 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  7 

of  the  Bible — little  Samuel,  the  bab}^  Moses, 
the  flood,  Joseph,  Daniel,  and  the  various 
incidents  in  the  life  of  Jesus,  etc. ,  etc. 

Then  after  a  while  it  might  be  well  to  be- 
gin at  the  beginning,  taking  the  historical 
parts  of  the  Bible  in  regular  course.  It  will 
of  necessity  often  happen  that  in  these  short 
readings  the  thread  of  the  story  must  be 
broken.  When  such  is  the  case,  do  not  fail 
to  refresh  the  memory,  the  second  day,  by  a 
few  questions  on  what  was  read  the  day 
before.  It  will  be  so  much  the  better  if  the 
father  will  take  time  to  read  the  stor}^  over 
privately  beforehand  so  as  to  be  prepared  to 
give  any  little  word  of  explanation  or  local 
coloring  which  can  make  it  clearer  to  the 
little  ones. 

Another  suggestion  in  the  line  of  variety 
is  to  turn  aside  every  now  and  then  from  the 
stories  when  you  get  to  a  pause,  and  read 
the  ten  commandments  or  some  preceptive 
passage. 

The  second  essential  feature  of  family  wor- 
ship is — 

Prayer. 

This  should  be  short.     A  very  small  child 


8  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

maybe  taught  to  be  reverent  because  "we 
are  talking  to  God." 

The  more  closely  the  petitions  follow  Scrip- 
ture phrases  the  better,  for  nowhere  can  any 
one  who  is  anxious  to  learn  to  pray  gain 
more  efficient  help  than  in  his  Bible. 

A  few  model  prayers  will  be  given,  which 
are  by  no  means  intended  to  be  read  in  the 
act  of  worship.  They  are  merely  suggestive. 
For  one  who  is  not  accustomed  to  hear  his 
own  voice  in  prayer  it  is  sometimes  exceed- 
ingly difficult,  under  the  embarrassment,  to 
think  of  anything  to  say.  Read  over  one  of 
these  prayers  beforehand,  or  one  of  David's, 
and  get  hold  of  a  few  appropriate  petitions 
which  you  can  keep  in  mind.  Getting  into 
the  spirit  of  these  may  enable  you  to  forget 
yourself  and  thus  overcome  embarrassment. 

Many  families  close  with  the  Lord's  prayer, 
the  whole  circle  joining  in  it.  This  is  well. 
The  form  of  the  Lord's  prayer  was  given  by 
one  who  knew  every  need  of  human  nature, 
and  it  is  very  full  and  complete — answers  for 
any  age  or  occasion.  Every  child  should 
learn  it,  for  it  literall}^  teaches  us  how  to  pray 
and  what  to  pray  for. 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  9 

Still,  it  does  not  preclude  the  use  of  our 
own  simple,  personal  petitions.  And  too 
constant  or  exclusive  use  or  dependence  on 
it  may  degenerate  into  cold  formality  which 
is  especially  to  be  guarded  against  in  family 
worship. 

If  the  family  include  boys,  let  me  urge 
upon  each  father  and  mother  the  desirability 
of  accustoming  them  at  an  early  age  to  take 
part  in  the  prayer.  It  will  be  an  inestimable 
help  to  them  in  after  years  to  know  that  they 
can  pray  in  public  without  having  to  learn, 
and,  I  believe,  a  safeguard  as  well,  to  remem- 
ber that  they  have  done  it  in  the  sanctity  of 
a  Christian  home. 

There  are  several  wa3^s  by  which  this  may 
readily  be  done.  One  is  b}^  sentence  prayers, 
in  which  the  father  will  be  followed  by  each 
young  son  in  succession  in  a  single  sentence 
or  petition.  This  for  a  beginning.  At  first 
the  mother  may  need  to  prompt,  but  they 
will  soon  become  quite  ready  and  actually 
enjoy  it ;  or  they  may  be  lead  into  it  individ- 
ually by  either  father  or  mother  preparatory 
to  being  called  upon  in  the  family  circle. 

Thirdly,  if  at  all  practicable — 


lO  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

All  children  love  to  sing,  even  the  tiniest 
little  tot  who  can  do  no  more  than  make  a 
noise.  Of  course  it  will  be  more  enjoyable 
all  round  if  the  mother  or  some  older  mem- 
ber of  the  family  can  give  the  little  ones 
some  help  outside,  both  as  to  words  and 
tunes. 

The  busiest  mother  is  often  the  one  who 
accustoms  herself  to  having  her  little  ones 
around  her  most  of  the  time.  And  while  she 
sews,  or  attends  to  some  other  daily  mother 
duty,  she  may  be  able  to  slip  in  a  little  sing- 
ing lesson.  The  words  and  tune  of  some 
simple  hymn,  such  as  "  Jesus  loves  me,  this  I 
know,"  "I  am  so  glad  that  my  Father  in 
heaven,"  "One  there  is  above  all  others," 
"  Tell  me  the  old,  old  story,"  etc.,  etc.,  thus 
learned  will  greatly  add  to  the  child's  interest 
in  family  worship.  When  one  of  their  own 
familiar  hymns  is  given  out,  3^ou  may  depend 
upon  it  they  will  sing  wdth  a  right  good  will. 

If  there  is  a  piano  or  organ  in  the  house 
use  it.  If  there  is  neither,  and  you  cannot 
afford  to  get  either,  then  more  will  of  neces- 
sity depend  on  the  leader,   whoever  is   the 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  II 

most  musical  member  of  the  family ;  still  sing 
the  best  you  can  at  any  rate.  The  best  we 
can  always  satisfies  our  heavenly  Father, 
and  generally  the  little  ones,  too. 

Do  not  be  afraid  to  venture  on  a  new  tune 
occasionally,  as  the  children  become  accus- 
tomed to  singing.  Not  too  often,  however, 
and  when  you  do,  if  it  has  a  chorus  sing  it 
over  once,  twice,  thrice,  or  until  the  whole 
circle  is  in  a  measure  familiar  with  it ;  or  sing 
the  whole  first  verse  a  second  or  third  time, 
and  let  that  suffice  for  the  singing  for  the 
morning.  More  than  likely,  tune  and  words 
will  be  running  in  everybody's  head  all  day 
long  and  will  never  be  objectionably  new 
again. 

But  some  may  sa}^ :  '  *  We  are  not  a  musi- 
cal family,  and  the  singing  would  be  only 
irksome  and  distasteful." 

I  risk  the  assertion  that  a  taste  for  sacred 
music  is  largely  a  matter  of  cultivation.  Sup- 
pose there  isn't  any  special  talent  or  taste  for 
music,  would  it  not  be  well  to  cultivate  what- 
ever there  is,  inasmuch  as  we  are  commanded 
to  praise  God  in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spir- 
itual songs,  and  are  nowhere  authorized  to 
delegate  this  duty  to  others  ? 


12  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

Some  may  demur  that  even  with  every 
part  of  the  service  as  brief  as  it  can  be  made, 
the  whole  would  occupy  more  than  could  be 
spared  from  business. 

Ah,  dear  Christian  friends,  to  whom,  I  am 
sure,  the  eternal  welfare  and  life-long  use- 
fulness of  your  children  is  more  precious 
than  anything  else  in  the  world,  let  not  this 
restless  thought  of  time  find  lodgment  in 
3'our  mind  for  a  moment.  As  a  dear  old 
friend  of  mine  used  to  say  :  ' '  Let  us  hurry 
somewhere  else,  not  here." 

Make  up  3'our  mind  you  will  have  time  for 
family  worship.  Get  up  as  early  in  the 
morning  as  may  be  necessary  to  do  so  with- 
out any  feeling  of  flurry  or  anxiety.  And 
find  some  convenient  time  for  it  between 
supper  and  bedtime,  before  the  children  get 
sleepy.  I  guarantee  the  day  will  not  seem 
any  shorter  for  work,  school,  or  play,  for  the 
fifteen  minutes  given  to  God  each  end.  Nay, 
it  is  positiveh'  certain  that  the  quietude  of 
spirit  gained  thereby  wnll  actually  ensure  the 
accomplishment  of  more  in  the  day. 

The  blessing  of  the  Lord  will  most  assur- 
edly rest  upon  the  famil}'  which  keeps  the 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  1 3 

fire  of  his  worship  alive  on  the  altar  in  their 
midst,  which  offers  to  God  a  daily  sacrifice  of 
praise  and  prayer,  and  a  ready  ear  to  learn 
his  will.  The  home  thereby  becomes  a  lit- 
tle sanctuary  where  the  Saviour  delights  to 
afjide.  And  it  cannot  but  be  that  the  father 
from  such  a  home  carries  with  him  to  his 
daily  toil,  peace,  protection,  and  divinely- 
given  wisdom,  that  the  mother  bears  about 
with  her  all  day  the  sustaining  strength  of 
the  Son  of  man,  and  the  spirit  of  gentleness 
to  sooth  ruffled  tempers,  and  that  the  remem- 
brance of  the  moments  spent  around  the  fam- 
ily altar  will  many  a  time  prove  to  the  child 
a  safeguard  and  talisman  in  the  hour  of 
temptation. 

Scripture  Hcabtngs  for  Daily  Use. 

Gen.  i.  1-13.  Gen.  vii.  1-13. 

Gen,  i.  14-27.  Gen.  vii.  14-24. 

Gen.  ii.  1-3,  with  Exod,    Gen.  viii.  1-12. 
XX.  i-ii.  Gen.  viii.  15-22. 

Gen.  ii.  6-25.  Gen.  ix.  1-19. 

Gen.  iii.  1-13,  and  23,  24.  Gen.  xi.  1-9;  27-32. 
Gen.  iv.  1-12.  Gen.  xii.  1-20. 

Gen.  vi.  i,  5,  S,  14,  17. 

Preceptive  passages  that  may  be  used  for 
change : 


14  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

Matt.  V.  1-9.  Ps.  cxix.,  in  parts, 

Eph.  vi.  i-iQ.  2  Tim.  iii.  14-17. 

Prov.  XV.  1-9.  Eph.  vi.  10-18. 

Prov.  vi.  6-20.  Matt.  xvi.  24-28. 

Rev.  xxii.  1-8,  etc.  Mark  ix.  33-37;  41-4S. 

As  the  children  grow  older,  a  very  good 
plan,  for  either  morning  or  evening,  is  to 
take  up  the  Sunday-school  lesson. 

If  they  are  in  the  habit  of  studying  their 
lesson  Sunday  afternoon,  so  much  the  better. 
The  list  of  daily  readings  given  with  most 
lesson-helps  will  then  be  intelligently  con- 
nected with  the  subject  of  the  lesson,  and 
each  reading  not  only  serve  to  keep  it  in 
mind,  but  add  something  to  it;  especially, 
if  title  and  text  are  repeated  by  the  circle  be- 
fore the  reading  begins. 

For  special  seasons  and  occasions  we 
might  suggest : 

In  case  of  sorrow,  sickness,  or  death,  John  xiv., 
almost  any  part. 

In  times  of  trial  of  any  kind,  Psalm  xlvi.,  with 
Phil.  iv.  6,  7. 

In  vSeasons  of  religioiis  interest,  Matt.  xi.  25-30  ; 
xii.  45-50;  John  iii.  1-21. 

When  special  need  of  humiliation  and  repent- 
ance, Psalm  li. 


MODEL  PRAYERS. 


o 


Illonbay  IlTorntng. 

LORD,  with  the  opening  of  the  new 
da}^,  we  lift  our  hearts  to  thee.  Thou, 
in  thy  love,  ha^kept  us  through  the  night; 
grant  us  thy  presence  throughout  this  da5\ 
Thou  art  our  Father;  smile  upon  ever3^thing 
we  try  to  do  that  is  right.  Give  us  food, 
and  shelter,  and  raiment.  And  bless  us  in 
our  daily  pursuits. 

Thou  art  our  Saviour;  keep  us,  O  Christ, 
in  times  of  temptation  to-day.  Let  us  not 
fall  by  the  way  through  selfishness  and  cow- 
ardice. 

Bless,  w^e  beseech  thee,  all  the  members  of 
this  household.  Show  to  each  one  of  us 
life's  duty  for  to-day,  and  help  us  gladly  to 
do  it  for  the  glory  of  God. 

Command  thy  blessing  also  upon  all  who 
are  dear  to  us  by  ties  of  kinship  and  affection. 
Bless  them  in  basket  and  store,  and  sustain 

15 


l6  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

them  by  thy  grace,  that  they  may  live  unto 
him  who  died  for  them  and  ro.se  again. 

Bless  the  church  universal.  Help  thy 
people  in  every  land  to  bear  a  faithful  wit- 
ness to  thy  truth  and  grace,  and  bless  the 
proclamation  of  the  gospel  by  word  and  life, 
till  every  knee  shall  bow  to  Jesus. 

These  mercies  we  ask,  with  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment of  all  thy  goodness  to  us,  in 
the  name  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen. 


/^\  GOD  of  all  mercy  and  grace,  thy  Spirit 
^^^  has  safely  led  us  through  the  experiences 
of  another  day,  and  we  now  bow  around  our 
family  altar  to  thank  thee  for  thy  grace  and 
goodness.  Forgive  us,  we  beseech  thee,  if 
amid  the  busy  pressure  of  our  daily  duties, 
we  have  been  unmindful  of  thee  and  our 
duty. 

Follow  with  thy  blessing  the  labor  of  our 
hands  and  minds  this  day,  and  all  the  influ- 
ences which  have  gone  out  from  our  lives. 
Forbid  that  anything  which  we  have  done 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  I7 

should  be  a  reproach  to  the  cause  of  our  Sa- 
viour, or  be  a  hindrance  to  the  salvation  of 
an3^  of  our  fellowmen.  Forgive  all  our  sins. 
Take  us  now  into  thy  loving  keeping  for  the 
night.  May  we  lay  ourselves  ' '  down  in 
peace  to  sleep,"  knowing  that  when  we 
''awake,  we  are  still  with  thee."  We  ask  it 
in  Jesus'  name.     Amen. 


Cuesbay  llTornin^. 

/"^UR  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in  the  morning, 
^^^  O  Lord ;  in  the  morning  will  we  direct 
our  prayer  unto  thee  and  look  up.  Accept  our 
gratitude,  O  God,  our  Father,  for  all  the  mer- 
cies that  have  crowned  our  days ;  and  spe- 
cially we  give  thee  thanks  for  the  good  hand 
that  has  been  over  us  through  the  past 
night,  and  brought  us  to  see  the  light  of 
another  da}^  Continue  thy  goodness  during 
the  hours  of  this  day,  and  help  us  to  ac- 
knowledge thee  in  all  our  ways.  May  we 
realize  thy  presence  at  all  times,  and  rejoice 
in  thy  help  and  blessing.  Keep  us,  if  it  be 
thy  will,  from  danger,  seen  and  unseen,  from 
accident,  disease,  and  evil  tidings.     Above 


1 8  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

all,  keep  us  from  the  evil  within  and  the 
snares  of  the  evil  one.  Suffer  us  not  to  be 
tempted  above  that  we  are  able  to  bear,  but 
with  ever}^  temptation  make  a  way  of  escape. 

May  all  who  name  the  name  of  Christ  let 
their  light  so  shine  before  men  that  the 
Father  ma}^  be  glorified  and  sinners  be  con- 
verted and  saved. 

Bless  those  who  have  gone  to  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth  to  carry  the  gospel  to 
the  heathen.  Make  thy  word  effectual  in 
their  hands  to  the  saving  of  many  souls. 

May  thy  blessing  abide  with  us  and  with 
all  we  love  to-day,  and  all  the  days  of  our 
lives,  and  forgive  all  our  sins  for  Christ,  our 
Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


Cuesbay  (Epeningi. 

A  GAIN  we  come  before  thee,  our  heavenly 
Father,  at  this  evening  hour,  to  thank 
thee  for  thy  continued  goodness.  Thou  hast 
heard  our  prayer  and  hast  kindl}^  watched 
about  us,  so  that  no  harm  has  come  nigh  our 
dwelling  or  ourselves.  All  that  thy  holy 
eye  has  seen  amiss  in  us  this  day  forgive. 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR,  I9 

Sprinkle  ever}^  heart  afresh  with  the  blood 
which  cleanseth,  and  may  thy  Holy  Spirit 
ever  dwell  within  us,  that  we  sin  not. 

Bless  our  land  and  people ;  forgive  our 
sins  as  a  nation,  and  may  we  repent  of  and 
turn  away  from  all  our  transgressions.  So 
may  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  our  God  be 
upon  us,  and  upon  our  children  after  us. 

May  the  blessings  of  grace  and  salvation 
soon  come  to  those  who  are  afar  off.  May 
the  ignorant  and  those  who  are  out  of  the 
way  be  brought  nigh,  and  may  the  gospel 
ere  long  be  preached  for  a  witness  in  the 
whole  world,  and  the  coming  of  the  Lord  be 
hastened.  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly, 
and  establish  thy  throne  in  all  the  earth. 

We  now  commend  us  to  thee  and  commit 
ourselves  to  thy  fatherly  keeping,  for  we 
know  thou  carest  for  us.  Keep  us  in  the 
hollow  of  thy  hand.  Preserve  us  from  all 
evil.  And  trusting  in  thee,  our  God  and 
Saviour,  we  wdll  both  lay  us  down  in  peace 
and  sleep,  for  thou  Lord  only  makest  us 
dwell  in  safety.     Amen. 


20  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

XDcbncsbay  IlTornino;. 

/^UR  help  cometh  from  the  Lord  which 
^^^  made  heaven  and  earth,  therefore  we 
look  up  to  thee  and  call  upon  thy  name.  We 
laid  us  down  and  slept,  we  awaked,  for  the 
Lord  sustained  us.  Be  with  us,  O  Lord,  to- 
day, in  our  going  out  and  our  coming  in,  in 
all  our  intercourse  with  each  other  and  those 
about  us,  at  school,  and  in  business,  in  trial 
and  temptation,  in  sorrow  and  joy. 

May  our  lives  and  health  be  precious  in 
thy  sight,  and  make  all  things  work  together 
for  our  good. 

Bless  thy  people  here  and  in  all  the  earth ; 
unite  their  hearts  to  fear  thy  name,  and  their 
hands  to  serve  thee  faithfully  and  well.  Fill 
them  with  thy  Spirit.  So  may  they  walk 
with  thee  and  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
their  Saviour  in  all  things.  And  may  tli}^ 
kingdom  come  and  thy  will  be  done  in  earth 
as  it  is  in  heaven. 

These  things,  with  the  pardon  of  all  our 
sins,  we  ajsk  for  Jesus'  sake  and  in  his  name. 
Amen. 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  21 

XDebncsbay  (Ertentna. 

A  NOTHER  day,  by  thy  mercy,  O  God, 
has  been  added  to  the  days  of  our  lives. 
Our  heahh  and  strength  have  been  pre- 
served, and  in  peace  and  safety  we  come  to 
thank  thee,  O  Lord,  our  God,  for  these  tok- 
ens of  thy  love.  We  pray  thee,  for  Christ's 
sake,  to  forgive  our  sins.  Create  in  us  clean 
hearts  and  renew  right  spirits  within  us. 
Thus  may  we  always  abide  under  the  shadow 
of  the  Almighty.  We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord, 
guide  and  direct  in  the  counsels  and  affairs 
of  our  own  country,  and  all  the  nations  of 
the  world.  Rule  and  overrule,  if  need  be, 
turn  and  overturn,  and  so  order  events  that 
thy  purposes  may  be  accomplished  and  thy 
will  be  done  in  all  the  earth,  and  may  the 
day  be  hastened  when  the  kingdoms  of  this 
world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ. 

Upon  our  kindred  and  friends  and  the 
absent  ones  of  our  home  may  the  benediction 
of  our  heavenly  Father  kindly  rest.  May 
the  blessings  of  this  life,  if  wisest  and  best, 
be  granted  to  them ;   and  especiall}^  we  pray 


22  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

that  they  may  be  members  of  the  great  family 
of  which  Christ  is  the  head.  So  may  they 
and  we  be  the  children  of  God  through  faith 
in  Christ  and  continue  faithful  to  the  end, 
and  then  be  gathered  to  the  heavenly  home 
and  the  higher  service,  to  be  together  and 
forever  with  the  Lord. 

All  these  blessings  with  the  forgiveness  of 
sins  w^e  ask  in  Christ's  name.     Amen. 


C^ursbay  llllorntncs. 

/^UR  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  wilt  thou 
look  in  mercy  upon  us  this  morning  and 
enable  us  to  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in 
truth.  Lord,  we  have  sinned  against  thee 
and  we  deserve  nothing  good  at  th}^  hands ; 
we  ask  nothing  in  our  own  name,  but  wilt 
thou,  for  the  sake  of  thy  dear  Son,  forgive 
our  sins  and  accept  of  each  one  of  us.  Lord, 
be  with  us  during  this  day,  fill  our  hearts 
with  love  and  gratitude  for  the  blessings  and 
privileges  by  which  we  are  surrounded,  and 
in  every  situation  in  life  be  present  with  us 
and  aid  and  direct  us  in  the  discharge  of  our 
duties. 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  23 

Keep  US  this  day  from  all  that  is  wrong 
and  sinful,  and  in  everything  we  do  may  we 
have  an  eye  single  to  thy  glory. 

Enable  those  of  us  who  are  parents  to 
bring  up  our  children  in  thy  fear,  and  grant, 
Lord,  that  they  may  love  and  serve  thee 
faithfully  in  this  life  and  at  last  be  saved. 

Bless  our  absent  friends  and  relations. 
Bless  our  servants  and  all  others  for  whom  it 
is  oar  duty  to  pray.  Wilt  thou  own  and 
bless  the  means  that  are  used  for  the  spread 
of  the  gospel ;  we  would  pray  thee  especially 
to  revive  thy  work  in'  this  neighborhood,  and 
to  hasten  the  time  when  all  shall  know  thee 
and  serve  thee. 

Continue  to  supply  our  wants,  direct  every- 
thing for  us,  and  at  last  save  us  all  for  the 
Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


Cf^ursbay  (£pentng. 

/^UR  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  we  thank 
thee  for  sparing  our  lives,  we  thank 
thee  for  permitting  us  to  come  to  thee  to- 
night pleading  the  merits  of  thy  dear  Son. 
We  have  sinned  against  thee  this  day  and 


24  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

we  have  no  excuse  to  offer  for  our  sins.  For 
Jesus'  sake  forgive  us  our  sins  and  enable 
us  to  live  near  unto  thee  in  every  situation 
of  life. 

Wilt  thou  now  take  us  and  all  that  we 
have  into  thy  care.  Own  us  as  thy  servants, 
keep  us  free  from  sin,  keep  us  safe  from 
danger,  and  at  last  save  us  all  for  Christ,  our 
Redeemer's  sake.     Amen. 


^rtbay  IHorntng, 

/^UR  P'ather  who  art  in  heaven,  we  thank 
^^^  thee  that  thou  didst  take  care  of  us 
through  the  darkness  of  the  night  and  that 
we  have  awakened  this  morning  to  know  of 
thy  love  and  care.  Take  care  of  us,  O  Father, 
all  through  this  day.  Keep  us  from  sin — 
from  anger  and  disobedience  and  discontent. 
Help  us  to  be  truthful  and  honest  and  trust- 
worthy in  little  things  as  in  great.  Help  us 
to  please  thee  in  everything  we  do,  whether 
in  work  or  play,  and  to  remember  thy  love 
which  follows  us  all  the  time.  Dear  Lord 
Jesus,  like  the  little  children  who  came  to 
thee  in  thine  earthly  life,  we  come  to  thee  now, 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  25. 

this  morning,  that  thou  mayest  lay  thy  hand 
on  each  head  before  thee  and  bless  us. 

We  know  thou  wilt  hear  us  because  thou 
hast  said:  "Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive." 
Bless  with  us  all  we  love,  and  take  us  to  live 
with  thee  when  we  die,  and  all  we  ask  is  for 
Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 


^rtbay  (£ucntrtg. 

r^EAR  Lord,  thou  has  given  us  another 
day  of  life,  and  for  the  health  and  happy 
hours  it  has  brought  to  us  we  thank  thy 
loving  care.  Let  us  never  forget  that  we 
live  on  thy  bounty.  Forgive  us,  Father,  if 
we  have  in  any  way  grieved  thy  love,  to-day, 
if  we  have  done  any  wrong. 

For  every  sin  we  have  committed,  great  or 
small,  give  us  sincere  repentance  and  wash 
us  in  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour, 
that  we  may  be  clean  in  thy  sight.  Watch 
over  us  while  we  sleep,  and  whatever  may 
come,  let  us  always  know  thou  art  close  be- 
side us,  with  th}^  loving  arms  around  us, 
and  thus,  trusting  in  the  Lord,  we  will  not 
be  afraid  of  anything   that   can   befall    us. 


26  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

Hear  our  prayer  and  bless  us  and  all  whom 
Mve  love,  for  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 


Saturbay  21Iorutnc;». 

/^  THOU  great  Creator  of  heaven  and  earth 
^^^  and  all  things  therein,  before  whom 
angels  cover  their  faces  and  all  the  hosts  of 
heaven  cast  their  crowns,  crying,  "Holy, 
holy,  holy.  Lord  God  Almighty,"  we  thank 
thee  that  though  thou  art  so  great  and  holy 
thy  ear  is  ever  open  to  hear  the  prayer  of 
the  smallest  child. 

Thou  numberest  the  ver}^  hairs  of  our  head, 
and  knowest  our  every  want  and  need  for 
each  day.  Give  us  this  day  of  thy  loving 
bounty  our  daily  bread,  food  for  the  body 
and  food  for  the  soul,  such  as  thou  seest  we 
need.  Help  us  to  be  useful  and  happy,  and 
to  honor  thee  in  all  we  do  and  think  and  say. 

Lord  Jesus,  who  lovest  the  little  children, 
keep  close  to  us  this  da}^  and  help  us  to  re- 
member thy  love,  whatever  may  befall  us; 
and  what  we  ask  for  ourselves  w^e  would  ask 
for  all  we  love,  for  the  sake  of  the  Saviour 
who  died  for  us  all.     Amen. 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  2/ 

Saturbay  <£pentnji. 

TIEAVENLY  Father,  let  us  come  to  thee 
this  evening  with  sincere  thanksgiving 
for  all  the  mercies  of  the  day  that  is  past. 
We  thank  thee  that  no  accident  has  befallen 
us,  that  thou  hast  spared  to  us  an  active 
mind  and  the  use  of  our  hands,  feet,  sight, 
and  hearing. 

Forgive  if  we  have  made  a  wrong  use  of 
any  of  these  blessings.  Forgive  any  sinful 
words  we  may  have  uttered.  Keep  us  in 
thy  loving  care  to-night,  and  help  us  to  love 
thee  better  and  better  each  daj^  of  our  lives. 

So  keep  us,  dear  Lord,  all  the  days  of  our 
life  until  thou  take  us  to  dwell  with  thee  at 
last,  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


Sabhail]  lllonungi. 

/^N  this  the  morning  of  thy  holy  Sabbath 
^'^^  day  help  us,  O  Lord,  to  put  away  from 
us  all  thoughts  of  worldly  things  even  as  thou 
didst  rest  from  thy  work  of  creation.  And 
may  we  rejoice  this  day  in  the  remembrance 
of  a  risen  Saviour.    Create  in  us  clean  hearts, 


28  THE  FAMILY  ALTAR. 

O  Lord,  and  renew  right  spirits  within  us, 
that  we  may  offer  thee  acceptable  service  on 
this  thy  holy  day.  Go  with  us  to  the  house 
of  God,  and  help  us  to  offer  there  the  sacri- 
fice of  a  humble  and  contrite  heart,  for  such 
only  thou  wilt  receive.  Send  us  in  thy  lov- 
ingkindness  a  message  out  of  thy  word,  and 
grant  that  we  may  receive  it  in  the  spirit  of 
meekness  and  love,  lay  it  up  in  our  hearts 
and  practice  it  in  our  lives. 

Abide  with  us  through  all  the  hours  of 
this  day  and  of  our  whole  life;  and  when 
thou  art  done  with  us  on  earth  take  us  to 
thyself,  and  to  the  unending  Sabbath  of  thy 
presence  in  heaven,  for  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 


Sahhail}  (£r>entng. 

\  A /E  thank  thee.  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for 
the  privileges  thou  hast  permitted  us  to  en- 
joy this  Sabbath  day ;  for  the  word  preached 
in  faithfulness,  for  an  open  Bible,  and  an 
open  door  to  the  throne  of  grace  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Surely  thou  hast  cast 
our  lines  in  pleasant  places  and  given  unto 


THE  FAMILY  ALTAR.  29 

US  a  goodly  heritage.  Forgive  us,  O  Lord, 
wherein  we  have  failed  to  improve  these 
opportunities,  and  let  not  this  Sabbath  day 
have  been  in  vain  for  our  souls. 

Grant  that  we  may  grow  in  grace  day  by 
day  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  be 
more  and  more  like  him  who  is  our  pattern 
and  example.  Hear  our  prayer,  forgive  our 
sins,  and  save  us  at  last  with  all  we  love,  for 
Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 


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